What Does 8 Ounces of Salmon Look Like? A Complete Visual Guide

Salmon is one of the most popular fish choices among health-conscious eaters. Not only is it delicious but it’s also packed with protein omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals.

However, when a recipe calls for a specific quantity like 8 ounces, it can be tricky to visualize the proper portion size – especially if you don’t have a food scale on hand.

So what does 8 ounces of salmon actually look like? Read on for a helpful visual guide to serving sizes for this nutritional powerhouse fish

Typical Serving Sizes for Salmon

To start, let’s review some common salmon portion sizes:

• 4 ounces: A small individual portion or appetizer size – about the dimensions of a smartphone or deck of cards.

• 6 ounces A standard restaurant entrée size

• 8 ounces: A generous portion, equivalent to two decks of cards side by side.

• 10-12 ounces: An extra-large portion, like a whole fish fillet.

For a main course, plan on serving 6-8 ounces of salmon per person. For appetizers or salmon served as part of a multi-course meal, lean towards the 4-6 ounce size.

Visualizing 8 Ounces of Salmon

When you think of 8 ounces of salmon, what comes to mind? Here are some visual comparisons to bring this portion size to life:

• Palm of your hand: An 8-ounce salmon fillet is about the size of your palm from wrist to fingertips. It will fit comfortably if placed in your hand.

• Computer mouse: Approximately the same length and width as a standard computer mouse.

• Large smartphone: Similar dimensions as the newest extra-large smartphones on the market.

• Clenched fist: If you make a fist, an 8-ounce fillet matches up with the top of your clenched hand.

• Medium ziplock bag: Fits nicely when placed in a quart or gallon ziplock freezer bag.

• Index card: Roughly the same size as a 3×5 inch index card.

Other Ways to Estimate 8 Ounces of Salmon

If you don’t have a visual aid, here are some other ways to approximate 8 ounces of salmon:

• It’s equivalent to 1/2 pound or 16 tablespoons.

• Imagine four decks of playing cards or two stacked billfolds.

• Picture a portion that would fill an adult palm’s width and length.

• For a whole salmon side, 8 ounces would be around one-fourth of the total fillet.

While these tricks can help, using an electronic kitchen scale is the most accurate way to portion fish fillets. But when you’re eyeballing it, the above gives a general sense of 8 ounces of salmon.

How Thickness Impacts Appearance

It’s important to note that a salmon fillet’s thickness, shape, and density affects how big it looks at 8 ounces. A long, slender tail section may appear larger than a shorter, fatter chunk from the belly at the same weight.

So remember:

• Thicker fillets look smaller for their weight

• Thinner fillets of the same weight look bigger

That’s why a kitchen scale is so helpful for precision cooking and getting portions just right. But the visualizations provided should get you pretty close when you don’t have a scale on hand.

Buying Pre-Portioned Salmon

For easy salmon dinners, many grocers now sell pre-portioned fresh salmon fillets in 8-ounce cuts. Popular options include:

• 8-ounce skinless Norwegian salmon fillets

• 8-ounce wild-caught salmon fillets

• 8-ounce salmon steak cuts with skin and bones

• 8-ounce center-cut fillets from the belly or tail

Buying individually portioned fillets reduces waste and takes the guesswork out of planning salmon meals.

Figuring Out How Much Salmon to Buy

Since salmon loses moisture during cooking, the cooked portion will be lower than the raw weight. For instance, an 8-ounce raw fillet may yield just 5-6 ounces cooked.

To serve four 8-ounce cooked portions, buy at least 1.5 pounds (24 ounces) of raw salmon fillets to account for shrinkage. For appetizers, allow around 2 ounces uncooked per person.

Buying a large salmon side to portion yourself gives you flexibility to cut fillets to any size needed for recipes or number of guests.

Cooking an 8-Ounce Salmon Fillet

The best methods for cooking an 8-ounce salmon fillet are to pan sear for 3-4 minutes per side or grill for about the same time. You can also bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes.

For pan-searing, get the skillet very hot before adding oil. Cook to an internal temperature of 145°F for medium doneness. Baste during cooking to prevent sticking.

On the grill, place the fillet skin-side up first over direct high heat. Flip only once during cooking for best results. Salmon is done when it flakes easily with a fork.

Since 8 ounces cooks fast, watch it closely to avoid overcooking which can dry it out. Cooked properly, it will be moist, flaky, and delicious!

Creative Ways to Use 8 Ounces of Salmon

A tasty 8-ounce salmon fillet can be transformed into endless quick and healthy meals:

• Salmon tacos – Top with avocado, cotija cheese, pickled onions, cilantro

• Mediterranean salmon salad – Combine with cucumbers, olives, tomatoes, chickpeas, feta, lemon juice, olive oil

• Asian glazed salmon – Brush with hoisin, soy, sesame oil and top with sesame seeds

• Lemon herb salmon – Broil with lemon slices and fresh rosemary, thyme, oregano

The possibilities are endless for incorporating an 8-ounce portion of nutrient-dense salmon into your diet.

So next time a recipe calls for 8 ounces of this omega-3-rich fish, use this handy guide to visualize the perfect fillet size for flawless results!